Gary W. Garver, Jr., 45 of Saylorsburg, passed away, Monday, August 22, 2011, at his residence after a courageous battle against cancer, surrounded by his loving wife and daughters.
Gary and his wife, the former Lisa A. Derkits, celebrated their 14th wedding
anniversary on June 21st.   Born in Hershey, PA, December 4, 1965, he was the son of Gary W. Sr., and Nancy (Vallati) Garver of Hummelstown.
For the past sixteen years, Gary was employed as a Health and Physical Education Teacher for the Pocono Mountain School District. 
He was a member of St. Elizabeth of Hungary Parish, Pen Argyl for the past eleven years.
Gary was a 1984 graduate of Hershey High School. He received his Bachelor's Degree from East Stroudsburg University in 1989 and his Master's Degree in 1997.  While in high school, Gary excelled in football, wrestling and track. He earned All-League honors in football, and was a two time Sectional Champion in wrestling, also finishing third in the South-East Region and qualifying for the State Tournament. This fall, Gary was to be inducted into the Hershey High School Athletic Hall of Fame.
After high school, he went on to play football at East Stroudsburg University, where he was named Captain his senior year. He was a three year letter winner from 1986-1988, he was the leading rusher in 1986. He later coached football as ESU from 1991-1999. He was the running backs coach in 1991 that was part of a record setting offense and qualified for the NCAA Division II play offs. He was a member of the Warrior Football Club.  He played softball in the Monroe County Recreation League where he was also past president.
In addition to his devoted wife, Lisa of Saylorsburg and his loving parents Gary and Nancy of Hummelstown, he is survived by his two precious daughters, Julia Grace and Emma Rose, both at home, a sister Jennifer L. Hynes and her husband Steven of Hershey and their children Zackary and Owen, a brother, Jason J. and his wife Katie of Hummelstown and their son Adam, his Paternal grand parents, William and Martha Garver of Hershey, his maternal grandmother, Mary Vallati of Camp Hill, his uncle Timothy Vallati of Camp Hill, his mother-in-law, Mary Ann Derkits of Northampton, his sister-in-law, Francine Schlofer and her husband Frank of Catasauqua and their children Stephanie and Natalie.  He was preceded in death by his maternal grandfather, Verlin Vallati and his father in law, Richard J. Derkits.
A Memorial Mass will be celebrated, Saturday, August 27th, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Elizabeth's Catholic Church, 300 W. Babbitt Ave., Pen Argyl. There will be a visitation, Friday from 5-8 p.m., at the Guerro & Ruggiero Funeral Home, www.ruggierofuneralhome.
com, 126 E. Pennsylvania Ave., Pen Argyl and Saturday from 9 to 10:45 a.m. at the church. Interment will be in St. Elizabeth's Cemetery, Pen Argyl.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donation may be offered to Lisa Garver, C/O the Guerro & Ruggiero Funeral Home, 126 E. Pennsylvania Ave., Pen Argyl, PA 18072, to establish an education fund for his daughters.